Tnpsc Current Affairs September 1-7, 2017 (English)

The 9th summit of the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - kicked off in the seaside Chinese city of Xiamen on 4th September 2017. China, the second time the China has hosted the summit after the 2011 summit.

India will also emphasise its concerns on global terrorism, which will be reflected in the Prime Minister's interventions as well as in the final Xiamen declaration.

BRICS Declaration 2017

Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is strongly deplored in the 9th BRICS summit held in Xiamen city of China.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in a joint declaration condemned all terror attacks worldwide, including those in the member states.

The countries expressed concern at the security situation and violence caused by the Taliban, Islamic state, Al-Qaida and its affiliates.

The declaration also reaffirmed BRICS support to the people of Afghanistan to achieve peace and national reconciliation.

In spite of the increasing international pressures, Pakistan has rejected BRICS Declaration.

J Y Pillay Indian-origin personality has been appointed as the acting President of Singapore

J Y Pillay, an Indian-origin veteran civil servant, has been appointed as the acting president of Singapore. He succeeded Tony Tan Keng Yam, who completed a six-year term. He will act as the president until after polling day on Septemeber 23 – or after nomination day on September 13, if a candidate is elected unopposed.

India and Switzerland signed pacts for technical cooperation in the field of Railways

India and Switzerland have signed two pacts for technical cooperation in the field of Railways after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President of Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard in New Delhi.

The aim of pacts is to cooperate in the areas of traction rolling stock, EMU and Train sets, traction propulsion equipments, freight and passenger cars, etc.

Myanmar will sign pact with India for the conservation of earthquake-damaged pagodas at Bagan

India and Myanmar will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the conservation of earthquake-damaged pagodas at Bagan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Myanmar on September 6-7, 2017.

Began is a renowned tourist attraction of Myanmar and India’s role in rebuilding damaged pagodas at Began will be an opportunity to showcase India’s expertise in the restoration and conservation of monuments not only to the people of Myanmar but also tourists from other countries.

World’s highest sandcastle has recently built in which country

The world’s highest sandcastle 54.72 feet (16.68 metres) tall has recently built in the German city of Duisburg. It was constructed in over 3 weeks and is supposed to stand until at least September 24, 2017.

Hurricane Irma caused damage on French island territories

Hurricane Irma has caused considerable damage on French island territories in the Caribbean this morning.

The storm has killed at least nine people so far, most of them in the French Caribbean.

At least two people have died on the island of St Barts, and six people lost their lives on St Martin. An infant in Barbuda was killed as the child's mother tried to escape their home during the storm.

India-Nepal Mlitary Exercise Surya Kiran Begins

India and Nepal have begun their joint military exercise Surya Kiran in Nepal. This is the 12th edition of Nepal-India joint military exercise. The exercise Surya Kiran is being participated by around 300 troops each side.

The battalion-level joint training between the two armies will focus on counter-terror operations in mountainous terrain by facilitating interoperability. Disaster management and joint operations for disaster relief will also be a part of the exercise.

The Surya Kiran series of Exercises are being conducted annually, alternatively in Nepal and India.

The 11th edition of the joint exercise was held in Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.

Sri Lankan govt decides setting up of LNG terminal near Colombo with Indian, Japanese companies

Sri Lankan government has decided to go ahead with the setting up of an LNG terminal near Colombo with Indian and Japanese companies.

The agreement regarding it was finalized during External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Sri Lanka last week and Sri Lankan Government has issued a Letter of Intent for setting up of the venture. It is part of MoU for cooperation in economic projects signed between the two countries this year.

Business and Climate Change Summit 2017

The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, addressed the Business and Climate Summit (BCS) 2017 in New Delhi.

Summit has brought the world came together in 2015 and agreed upon the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

It came into force in November 2016 and till date, 160 Parties have ratified the agreement. India as a party to the Paris Agreement is committed towards its successful implementation.

Europe unveils world's most powerful X-ray laser

The world’s most powerful X-ray laser has begun operating at a facility where scientists will attempt to recreate the conditions deep inside the sun and produce film-like sequences of viruses and cells.

The machine, called the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), acts as a high-speed camera that can capture images of individual atoms in a few millionths of a billionth of a second.

Eastern Economic Forum Meet Begins in Vladivostok, Russia

Third meeting of Eastern Economic Forum has started in Vladivostok, Russia and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the Forum as India’s representative.

In the forum, there will be discussion on the prime and important issues relating to global trade. She will also hold bilateral talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during which there will be discussion on various issues relating to trade, investment and defence cooperation.

Kenneth Ian Juster Nominated as American Ambassador to India

President Donald Trump has nominated Kenneth Ian Juster as the next American ambassador to India.

Juster plays a key role in the Indo-US ties under the Bush Administration. He served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security from 2001 to 2005.

Juster would replace Richard Verma the position has been vacant since 20th of January after Mr Verma submitted his resignation as Trump took over as the US President.

First Diesel Consignment from India to Myanmar Dispatched

Symbolising the growing hydrocarbon engagement between India and Myanmar, the first consignment of 30 MT of High Speed Diesel was sent from India to Myanmar by land route.

Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL), which has been supplying HSD to Bangladesh, despatched the first diesel consignment through NH 37 across the Moreh Custom Check Point on the Indian side and Tamu Custom Check Point on the Myanmar side.

SAUNI project had been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat aims to fill up 115 major dams by diverting overflow of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada River.

National Nutrition Strategy that lays the roadmap for targeted action to address India's nutritional needs has been launched in New Delhi by Leader of the Green Revolution, Dr M S Swaminathan and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr Rajiv Kumar. Now, nutrition will come at the centre-stage of the National Development Agenda.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited ( EESL) , under Ministry of Power, Government of India has launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State of Melaka, Malaysia on 6.9.2017.

In due course of time, the successful Indian model of UJALA scheme has become a sought-after example for the different nations of the world and will now be implemented in Melaka to extend programme benefits to people of the region.

Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED bulbs at a cost of only RM 10, which is a special price and is almost half of what in begin offered in the market. The distribution of these LED bulb will take place from 28 numbers of Japerun in the region.

Road accidents in India decrease by 4.1% during 2016, fatalities rise by 3.2%

Report for first half of 2017 encouraging – road accidents drop by 3 % and fatalities drop by 4.75 % between January to July 2017

Road accidents in the country have decreased by around 4.1% during 2016, with the year seeing 4,80,652 road accidents as against 5,01,423 in 2015.

However fatalities resulting from these accidents have risen by about 3.2% during the same period. Nearly 1,50,785 persons were killed in 2016 as against 1,46,133 in 2015.

Releasing the Ministry’s annual publication ‘Road Accidents in India-2016 the Minister for Road Transport and Highways,

Task Force on Employment and Exports and its Terms of Reference

To provide a major thrust to job creation by enhancing India’s exports, an Expert Task Force has, today, been constituted with the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, as its Chairperson.

Members of the Task force include CEO, NITI Aayog, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. Leading economists and industry experts are also members of the Task Force, which will submit its report by November 2017.

Rajaswa Gyan Sangam (RGS – 2017) held in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the annual conference – Rajaswa Gyan Sangam (RGS-2017) in New Delhi on September 1, 2017. The conference is jointly organised by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

Rajiv Kumar appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog

Noted economist Rajiv Kumar has take over charge as the new vice-chairman of government think tank Niti Aayog. He replaced Indian-American economist Arvind Panagariya who left the think tank to return to academia.

Rajiv Kumar was a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from Oxford and a PhD from Lucknow University.

Anita Karwal appointed as the new Chairperson of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Anita Karwal, a Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Sunil Arora takes over as new Election Commissioner

Sunil Arora assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner of India, here today.

During 36 years of his long service, he held various crucial positions in State Govt. of Rajasthan and in the Central Government.

Swacch Vidyalaya Puraskar 2017

In his Independence Day address to the nation on 15th August, 2014 Hon’ble Prime Minister called upon that all schools in the country should have toilets with separate toilets for girls. Only then our daughters will not be compelled to leave schools mid way.

The Department has taken new initiative for furtherance of Swachh Vidyalaya Campaign and instituted Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar in 2016-17 to recognize, inspire and celebrate excellence in water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools. Swachhta in schools plays a significant role in determining the health of children, attendance, dropout rate, and learning outcomes.

35 States and UTs participated in this Puraskar, at District and State levels, in an online mode. Thereafter, these were evaluated and awarded at district and state levels. Out of 643 schools shortlisted by the states, 172 schools have been selected for the National awards for Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2016-17.

Karnataka government will provide free education to girls up to graduation

The Karnataka government has recently decided to provide free education for girls across the state from Class 1 up to graduation in all public and aided private schools and colleges, excluding professional institutions.

Ahmedabad been formally accorded the status of India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO

Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat, has been formally accorded the status of India’s first World Heritage City (WHC) by UNESCO. Irina Bokova, the Director General of UNESCO, has handed over the certificate declaring Ahmedabad as a ‘World Heritage City’ to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar on September 1, 2017.

Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare inaugurated the Symposium on ‘Life after Spinal Cord Injury’ on the occasion of World Spinal Cord Injury Day at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, on 5.9.2017. The Minister also released a Home Care Book for Spinal Cord Injury and also felicitated the Spinal Cord Injury patients treated at the Trauma Centre.

Health Ministry launches two new contraceptives

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched two new contraceptives, an injectable contraceptive MPA under the ‘Antara’ programme and a contraceptive pill, ‘Chhaya’, in the public health system to expand the basket of contraceptive choices to meet the emerging needs of couples.

The contraceptives, which are available for free in Medical Colleges and District Hospitals at present, have so far been launched in 10 states that includes Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Haryana, West Bengal, Odisha, Delhi and Goa.

The contraceptives are safe and highly effective, the ‘Antara’ injectable being effective for three months and the ‘Chayya’ pill for one week, and will help meet the changing needs of couples and help women plan and space their pregnancies.

Teacher's Day Celebrated On September 5

September 05, 2017, Teacher's Day is being celebrated across the nation to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Vice President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was an academician, statesman and philosopher.

The National Award to the meritorious teachers working in primary, middle and secondary schools will be conferred by the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu as public recognition.

These awards were instituted in 1958, and each award carries a medal, certificate and rupees 50 thousand. Special awards also have been instituted for special educators who promote inclusive education in schools.

World Teacher’s Day is observed every year on October 5

Lucknow Metro Becomes Operational

The first commercial run of Lucknow Metro starts today. The Metro train has been flagged off by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and governer Ram Naik.

Metro trains will be available from tomorrow morning to the general public. Each train comprises four-coaches and has a capacity to accommodate nearly 1,100 passengers at a time, with a seating capacity for 200 people. The coaches have been equipped with LED lights and CCTV cameras.

Karnataka to merge health schemes, launch 'Arogya Bhagya'

In a move to ensure medical benefits to entire population of Karnataka, the State government has decided to merge various health schemes and launch unified 'Arogya Bhagya' to cover all the 1.4 crore households.

The Universal Health Coverage scheme would help the card holder get treatment in all the empanelled private hospitals besides government hospitals to get treatment without paying any cash.

The main theme of the 'Arogya Bhagya' scheme is ''Treatment First and Payment Next” (UNI)

Ahmedabad’s Walled City gets India’s First World Heritage City Certificate

Ahmedabad in Gujarat was formally accorded the status of India's first World Heritage City with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova handing over the certificate in this regard to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Ahmedabad was selected out of 250 cities in the race for the coveted status.

The honour makes the walled city of Ahmedabad the first city in India, and the third in Asia, to be on the list.

India now has a total of 36 World Heritage Inscriptions - 28 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed site.

India is second after China in terms of number of world heritage properties in ASPAC (Asia and Pacific) region, and overall seventh in the world. (Business standard)

Nirmala Sitharaman will be the country's new Defence Minister while Piyush Goyal will be the new Railways Minister after a cabinet reshuffle.

Nirmala Sitharaman is the first woman Defence Minister; Indira Gandhi held the department twice when she was Prime Minister.

Ms Sitharaman, 58, will now be part of the top 5 or the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which also includes the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance Minster Arun Jaitley. It's for the first time that the CCS will have two women members.

The indigenous sniper rifle was launched at the Rifle Factory, Ishapore, near Kolkata. The research and development for the sniper was done at Ishapore itself, since a year.

The biggest advantage of an indigenous sniper is, it will never run short of ammunition and spares.

Kolkata Police has decide to get its own Indian-made sniper rifles that will come at one-third the price and the quality, at par with the best in the world. (IBT)

Awards and Honors

Hyderabad airport bags energy efficiency award

Hyderabad International Airport Ltd has bagged the National Award for ‘Excellence’ in Energy Management at a conference hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL, in a statement said, “GHIAL is committed to exploring energy efficient solutions. As a part of our Passenger is Prime initiative, we have deployed eco-friendly vehicles such as electricity powered buggys, ground handler vehicles, trolley movers, and have even commissioned e-cars.”

The previous bid was won by Sony in 2008 for 10 years at Rs. 8200 crore.

Konsam Ormila Devi Won Gold Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting

On the very first day of the Commonwealth Youth weightlifting championships Konsam Ormila Devi won a gold medal in 44kg category.

She bagged the gold medal by lifting 57kg in snatch and 76kg in clean and jerk for an overall effort of 133kg.

The Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championship is being held at Gold Coast, Australia.

India beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in T-20 match

India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the one-off T-20 International cricket match in Colombo last night. Skipper Virat Kohli's blazing blade ensured a comfortable win in the game as the visitors completed a 9-0 rout of Sri Lanka.

It was the first time that an Indian cricket team registered an all-win record across formats in an overseas tour.

Set to score 171 runs for a win, Team India surpassed the target by making 174 for 3 in 19.2 overs. Skipper Virat Kohli top scored with 82 off 54 balls while Manish Pandey remained unbeaten on 51. India have already swept the Test series 3-nil and the ODI series 5-nil.